Maharashtra Ends Mandatory One-Year MBBS Bond Service, Retains Requirement for PG and Super-Speciality Doctors

Mumbai, 24th July 2026: The Maharashtra government has abolished the mandatory one-year bond service for MBBS graduates from government, municipal, aided and private unaided medical colleges, becoming the first state in the country to take such a step. However, the compulsory service requirement will continue to apply to postgraduate (PG) and super-speciality medical courses.

The decision follows concerns that the existing system was delaying the careers of young doctors because the government was unable to provide bond postings to all eligible candidates.

Bond Service Ends for Many MBBS Graduates
Under the earlier policy, medical graduates were required to complete one year of service in government hospitals, local bodies or the armed forces in return for subsidised medical education.

Over the years, however, the number of MBBS graduates increased significantly while government vacancies failed to keep pace. As a result, many doctors remained on waiting lists for appointments despite being willing to serve, leaving them unable to fulfil the bond requirement.

Since completion of the bond was linked to eligibility for pursuing postgraduate medical education, many students faced delays in advancing their careers due to the shortage of available postings rather than any unwillingness to work.

Government Cites Administrative Challenges
A Government Resolution (GR) issued on Thursday said the expansion of medical colleges had not been matched by a corresponding increase in public-sector employment opportunities.

The government also noted that several newly graduated doctors accepted bond postings primarily because it was a mandatory requirement before pursuing higher studies. According to the resolution, this often affected the effectiveness of the arrangement, as fresh graduates were not always adequately prepared to independently handle emergency medical services.

The policy was reviewed during a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister on July 4, 2025, following which the Public Health Department recommended discontinuing the compulsory one-year service for MBBS graduates.

Who Will Benefit?
Under the revised policy:
Eligible candidates who have not yet been allotted a bond posting will no longer be required to complete the one-year service.
Doctors who started bond service but could not complete the full tenure will not have to serve the remaining period.
Candidates who received appointment orders but have not joined their assigned institutions will also be exempt.
Doctors who have already joined their allotted posts must complete their existing tenure.
No fresh bond service allotments will be made after the issuance of the Government Resolution.
The Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) has also been directed to immediately close its online bond allotment portal.

The government clarified that candidates who had earlier paid the prescribed penalty to obtain exemption from bond service will not be eligible for a refund.

Mixed Reactions
The move has been welcomed by many students who argued that mandatory bond service often delayed postgraduate education. However, some stakeholders have expressed concerns over its possible impact on healthcare delivery in government hospitals.

Mumbai University Relaxes Admission Restrictions
In a separate development, Mumbai University has withdrawn its earlier decision to prohibit admissions at 68 law and B.Ed colleges that had failed to appoint university-approved principals and teaching staff.

The university has now allowed these institutions to admit students to 50% of their approved intake for the current academic year, subject to payment of a ₹10 lakh penalty by each college. This decision is expected to provide relief to both institutions and students seeking admission while ensuring compliance with faculty appointment norms.